Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-time, Part-time by distance learningDuration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-timeStart date
September 2023Overview
The field of criminal justice includes many different yet interconnected disciplines, from criminal psychology to cybercrime, forensic investigation to victimology.
As the scope is so broad, our Criminal Justice Master's courses allow you to customise your degree so that you graduate with a qualification that reflects your area (or areas) of interest and your career goals.
1. Choose your Criminal Justice degree
First, choose the Criminal Justice Master's degree you want to study.
You can choose to study your degree either full-time or part-time on campus, or part-time by distance learning, although some courses are available only in one format or the other.
Campus Criminal Justice courses
(Full or part time)
- MSc International Criminal Justice
- MSc Criminal Psychology
- MSc Cybercrime
- MSc Economic Crime
- MSc Forensic Investigation
- MSc Intelligence (in combination only)
Distance learning Criminal Justice courses
(Part-time only)
- MSc International Criminal Justice
- MSc Criminal Psychology
- MSc Crime Science
- MSc Economic Crime
- MSc Victimology
- MSc Intelligence (in combination only)
The best part is how passionate all the staff that I met are and their readiness to help with anything. Every day I am surrounded by people that love their fields of study and keep pushing forward, words cannot describe what an inspirational effect this had on me.
Criminal Justice Master's courses
Discover the Master's courses offered by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Dr Helen Earwaker: Here within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, we run a diverse range of Master's level provision with content aligned to a host of different areas that link to the pursuit of justice. Students can choose to study on campus or through distance learning. Our distance learning courses enable students to learn as part of a diverse online community, balancing their other commitments with their learning.
Dr Helen Earwaker: On campus, we bring learning to life through interactive workshops, immersive learning and through using simulated environments.
Gary [Podcast]: "Hello, everyone, and welcome back. Today we are looking at the case of Simon Flint, who is reported missing by his wife. A missing persons case has been opened and there is an active investigation into his disappearance. There is some intelligence to suggest that Mr. Flint has been involved in fraudulent activity. Four days later, a body believed to be that of Mr. Flint is discovered in an abandoned warehouse.
So now that we've discussed the case, we're going to look at the different theoretical and practical aspects that spanned the disciplines connected with this case. For example, we're going to consider the economic crime and fraud investigation, forensic science and crime science, the application of victimology and psychology, the potential connectivity with cybercrime, and then we're going to see how all of these fit together within the criminal justice system. This is important because these are all the areas that are considered within our MSc provision."
Dr Helen Earwaker: Our MSc provision connects to the research centres that we have within our school and our students benefit from the world-leading research that goes on within these. Research is at the very heart of our MSc teaching with evidence-based practice a core theme throughout our courses. Our students learn in a multidisciplinary and cross-border environment, benefiting from a wide range of perspectives across criminal justice and beyond.
Dr Helen Earwaker: We work closely with partner organisations across the justice sector, enabling our students to combine theory and practice throughout their studies. An MSc within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice will equip you to be evidence informed, forward thinking and to go on to challenge the status quo in the pursuit of justice.
2. Tailor your degree to your interests and ambitions
Once you've chosen the Criminal Justice Master's course you want to study, you can opt to tailor the degree title you graduate with by choosing specific modules.
You'll choose which modules you want to do at the start of your chosen course. We'll help you choose modules and a degree title that match your interests and career ambitions.
You can view the other degree titles you can earn below, under each of the Criminal Justice Master's courses. Click on the course name in each drop down to view the courses in more detail.
Campus courses (full or part-time)
MSc International Criminal Justice
Whether you're already working in the field or eager to start a new career in the world of international criminal justice, our MSc International Criminal Justice degree course is the ideal next step towards achieving your ambitions.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc International Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation
- MSc International Criminal Justice and Intelligence
If you're looking to build on your undergraduate studies in psychology and pursue a career in criminal psychology, or you're already working in the field and want to further advance your career, our MSc Criminal Psychology degree course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to reach your goals in this challenging arena.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc Criminal Psychology and International Criminal Justice
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Economic Crime
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Forensic Investigation
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Intelligence
Do you want to be part of the next generation of cybercrime research and investigation experts? This MSc Cybercrime degree course will improve your technical, investigative and academic skills, pushing you to your career and study goals.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc Cybercrime and International Criminal Justice
- MSc Cybercrime and Criminal Psychology
- MSc Cybercrime and Economic Crime
- MSc Cybercrime and Forensic Investigation
- MSc Cybercrime and Intelligence
There’s never been a greater need for experts in countering economic crime. On this MSc Economic Crime, you’ll learn about fraud, corruption, money laundering, intellectual property crime, cartels and market abuse.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc Economic Crime and International Criminal Justice
- MSc Economic Crime and Forensic Investigation
- MSc Economic Crime and Intelligence
On this MSc Forensic Investigation degree course, you'll learn the practical skills and theories that underpin forensic science, from the investigation to the courtroom.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc Forensic Investigation and Intelligence
MSc Intelligence (in combination only)
The Intelligence pathway cannot be studied on its own.
If you choose to study MSc Intelligence as part of your Criminal Justice studies, you'll help meet the growing need for intelligence professionals by building on your research, analysis and management skills and applying them to the field of criminal intelligence.
Degree titles you can earn:
- MSc International Criminal Justice and Intelligence
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Intelligence
- MSc Cybercrime and Intelligence
- MSc Economic Crime and Intelligence
- MSc Forensic Investigation and Intelligence
Distance learning courses (part-time only)
MSc International Criminal Justice
Whether you're already working in the field or eager to start a new career in the world of international criminal justice, our MSc International Criminal Justice degree course is the ideal next step towards achieving your ambitions.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc International Criminal Justice and Intelligence
- MSc International Criminal Justice and Victimology
If you're looking to build on your undergraduate studies in psychology and pursue a career in criminal psychology, or you're already working in the field and want to further advance your career, our MSc Criminal Psychology degree course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to reach your goals in this challenging arena.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc Criminal Psychology and International Criminal Justice
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Economic Crime
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Intelligence
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Victimology
If you're looking for a practical, socially-conscious way to focus your scientific studies – or want to advance your existing career in the area – this MSc Crime Science Degree is the ideal choice for you.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc Crime Science and Criminal Psychology
- MSc Crime Science and Economic Crime
- MSc Crime Science and International Criminal Justice
- MSc Crime Science and Intelligence
- MSc Crime Science and Victimology
There’s never been a greater need for experts in countering economic crime. On this MSc Economic Crime, you’ll learn about fraud, corruption, money laundering, intellectual property crime, cartels and market abuse.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc Economic Crime and International Criminal Justice
- MSc Economic Crime and Intelligence
- MSc Economic Crime and Victimology
Victimology is about understanding and helping people at one of the lowest points in their life – when they've become the victim of a crime. If you're looking to take your studies or career in a rewarding, socially responsible direction, then this MSc Victimology degree course is the perfect choice for you.
Other degree titles you can earn:
- MSc Victimology and Intelligence
MSc Intelligence (in combination only)
The Intelligence pathway cannot be studied on its own.
If you choose to study MSc Intelligence as part of your Criminal Justice studies, you'll help meet the growing need for intelligence professionals by building on your research, analysis and management skills and applying them to the field of criminal intelligence.
Degree titles you can earn:
- MSc International Criminal Justice and Intelligence
- MSc Criminal Psychology and Intelligence
- MSc Crime Science and Intelligence
- MSc Economic Crime and Intelligence
- MSc Victimology and Intelligence
The flexibility offered on the postgraduate degree is just great. There are a variety of different areas to specialise in within criminal justice. Personal highlights included the cybercrime module, the field trip to Bletchley Park and having the opportunity to conduct empirical research.